Guys and body image

Although girls and women stereotypically experience body image issues, it’s becoming increasingly common among guys, especially with issues around being big or ripped enough. Get the facts about body image pressures, how to identify whether they’re an issue for you, how to improve negative body image and what to do if nothing's working.

This can help if:

you constantly stress about how you look

you feel pressure to get bigger

you want some tips to help you improve your body image.

Pressure around size

Image consciousness is easily one of the most common causes of stress in young men, but here are some factors to consider if you’re already stressing.

‘Getting massive’ is a socially driven idea

Start travelling and you’ll notice that the ‘ideal’ body size depends on where you are. In London, skinny guys are all the rage, and the fashion trends reflect that body type. Being ‘big’ isn’t necessarily the gold standard everywhere.

Bulking up at a young age can be dangerous

Taking supplements and building muscle mass, especially while you’re still going through puberty, can have long-term effects on your height, muscles, skin and even genitals. If you think you’re too small now, imagine stunting your growth for the rest of your life because you picked up weights too early.

There’s nothing wrong with you

Those big, ripped, shredded guys? They often face health complications later in life. Athletes, or guys who do manual work, have built their muscles naturally. If you’re a student and still young, your body isn’t being exposed to the daily effort of swimming laps or lifting slabs of concrete. Your time will come.

Is negative body image a problem for you?

Eating well and staying fit are important parts of a healthy lifestyle, but feeling self-conscious about your body can quickly become a problem if it starts to take over your life.

Recognise your strengths such as your sense of humour or athletic abilities, and use them to your advantage.

Appreciate how awesome your body is

Be grateful for what your body can do, as opposed to what it looks like.

Understand the basics of nutrition

Make informed choices about your food intake (including supplements) by reading up on scientific and medical-based information. Consult your GP or another health professional before taking supplements.

Getting help

If you’re feeling inadequate about your body or about yourself in general, it may be worth talking to someone, such as a family member, friend, teacher or counsellors. Remember that you’re not alone: lots of guys struggle with their body image.